Wearing a kippah and holding a chumash, Jewish Labor MP Ron Hoenig was sworn in as NSW’s new Minister for Local Government by Governor Margaret Beazley last Wednesday.

The swearing-in ceremony also saw Jihad Dib become the first minister in NSW to be sworn in on a Koran and Daniel Mookhey the first using the sacred Hindu text the Bhagavad Gita.

Hoenig, who has served as Member for Heffron since 2012, said he was “incredibly honoured”.

“I am so grateful for the confidence the Premier has shown in me in appointing me to these roles in his government, and will do my utmost to contribute to his vision for a fresh start the people of NSW voted for,” he said on social media.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip “wholeheartedly congratulated” Hoenig on his appointment.

“Ron Hoenig has been a close friend of the board and of the community for many years and we are thrilled to see him appointed to the NSW government frontbench,” Ossip told The AJN.

“The swearing-in ceremony, during which Ron wore a yarmulke and held a chumash, was a proud moment for the Jewish community. It was also a wonderful display of multiculturalism across our state, with two frontbench MPs sworn in on the Koran and the Bhagavad Gita.

“The Board looks forward to working with Premier Chris Minns and his team, and wish the new Labor government well.”